#that women's jewelry was a pawn-able safety in case of money troubles
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I know I'm going to say a couple of things you've already read, but just for the sake of ordering my own thoughts, bear with me. I never felt the plot point was that much strained because:
Jane was a very sheltered creature and very unprepared for the real world. She left Gateshead at a very young age, and then never left Lowood during the years she was there, and institutionalization to that degree does not allow for having at one's fingertips common notions and behaviors to survive in "the real world". You can take Jane learning about how to get a job from direct divine inspiration as a glaring example of this (well, she never calls any of the supernatural happenings of her life divine in origin, but I always felt that was the implication because they always happen in answer to a prayer. I think Jane considers attributing to God that plainly something reeks of spiritual presumption, which is probably the most damning indication of St. John's overall character. I also think the episode serves the idea that Jane was meant to go to Thornfield on a mission of redemption for Rochester and happiness for herself. But that's more on headcanon territory).
She's in a situation of deep and acute distress. Even worldly and intelligent people make very stupid decisions in such an altered psychological state. There's one single drive for her and the one thing all her energies are concentrated into: getting as far and as fast from Rochester as she can.
Not because she thinks Rochester is going to physically drag her back or cause her bodily harm, but because she does not trust herself not to give in if he catches up with her. In that scheme taking a coach is unwise, but not nonsensical, and definitely annuls taking refuge with the parson and explains why walking isn't her first choice (she won't be able to get far enough that she cannot be reached by a horse-mounted search party). This also rules out demanding her wages.
There is a factor of strong pride baked into Jane's personality that makes all of this worse. She leaves behind the pearl necklace Rochester gave her as a present, which was rightfully hers, but she feels isn't because she hasn't earned it. She doesn't take it in lieu of her wages because it is worth more than her wages (cfr. her whole back and forth with Rochester when she needs money to get to Gateshead and won't take a penny more than what she's owed). By the same token asking Mrs. Fairfax for money is out of the question, compounded by the fact that Mrs. Fairfax did warn her when she learned of the engagement and Jane wasn't particularly gracious about the advice (curiously, I think it is 2011 where they meet again at the end and Mrs. Fairfax kindly chastises her for not asking for money. So you can say someone else thought of this too, jeje)
And in those lines it makes sense that she wouldn't think of Bessie and Robert as a possibility. It might occur to her after a day or two, but as she has no money to move about, it's pointless (but 43 and 96 do have Jane returning to Gateshead, so someone thought of that! kinda. Not of Robert and Bessy specifically XD)
The lack of a letter of recommendation bars Lowood as a possibility. They know where she went and under which conditions, so a sudden return with no references would be extremely suspicious, Mr. Brockelhurst never liked her, Miss Temple has left... how is she going to explain why is she back? Would they even believe her that she was innocent in the whole affair?
I have no justification as to why Mr. Briggs just leaves her. Sure, technically it's none of his business, as he represents Mason, not Mr. Eyre, and Mason's interest in the matter is the rights of his own sister, and they might have fairly assumed that she had money enough to leave and move about, that she had her wages and or some other provision, but still, it would be reasonable and chivalrous to ask if they could offer even just the assistance of sharing a carriage or something. By the hurry they are in, though, I don't think they'd be anywhere near Thornfield by the time Jane finally leaves it.
People Jane could have asked for help when she wanted to leave Thornfield, instead of just running out into the wilderness with a piece of bread and some money that she spent entirely on bus fare:
Mrs. Fairfax: Didn't know Rochester was married, would understand that Jane wants to leave. Could possibly provide a loan to help Jane travel to where she needs to go, or at least direct her to other people who could help.
Mr. Eyre/Mr. Mason/the lawyer: Sure, her uncle's dying, and his employees just left her there, but they might not be that far from Thornfield. Could be nearby, or could be reachable by letter if inquiries were made.
Mr. Rochester: He owes Jane money. She could demand it and ask for a reference. If he refuses, she could always pull the "you want to lock two wives in the attic?" card. Risky option, because Rochester is volatile, he's already shown signs of violence, and Jane might cave if she faces him again. I don't blame her for not taking this option, but it was there.
Bessie and Robert: They like her, and they have a house separate from the main house. If she can find a way to travel there, they'd probably house her.
The priest: You know, the one who was going to marry them in the church that's literally walking distance from Thornfield's front door. He knows Jane's story, knows that she's innocent, and knows exactly why she needs help. In the perfect position to provide aid.
The Lowood school: She's been gone for less than a year. I'm sure they'd take her back.
#Jane Eyre#Charlotte Brontë#it is interesting/touching that Rochester surveys the situation after she leaves#searches for her and as he cannot find her the idea that torments him as a very real possibility is that of her being dead in some ditch#(literally)#and you know she might as well had if it wasn't that God really wanted her to live#while he never explicitly recriminates her leaving the pearl necklace behind#he does mention it#it would have been obvious for the Victorian reader though considering how commonly understood it was#that women's jewelry was a pawn-able safety in case of money troubles
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